The House of Bishops met in person from 20th to 22nd May in York.

The House spent time considering what would help the flourishing of women, both lay and ordained, in the Church of England.

First, the House considered provision for ordained women in the context of the settlement on the ordination of women to all three orders. A proposal for each diocese to have at least one diocesan advisor on women’s ministry was approved, with further work to be undertaken on the associated guidelines to ensure consistency of approach in each diocese.

Secondly, the House discussed commissioning a significant piece of work to assess ongoing disparities and discrimination based on gender in the Church of England, to identify how women and men may work better together at local and national levels and offer a vision for a diverse church that works together for the flourishing of all. The overall aim of the work is to enable the inclusion and positive treatment of women in the Church, rather than mirroring negative elements of wider culture, to offer Gospel hope and transformation. Importantly, it was noted that the work does not in any way aim to undermine the current settlement on the ordination of women to all three orders, but rather to reflect on its implementation and impact.

The House was briefed on the ongoing work of the Triennium Funding Working Group, including the proposals from Archbishops’ Council on significant changes to pensions which are part of a wider range of measures on clergy wellbeing currently under development.

The House discussed the current situation in Gaza, with a number of Bishops relating their personal experience of visits to the region. The House agreed a joint statement in which they condemned the Government of Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza, calling it “an atrocity that defies our common humanity”.

The House received an update from Living in Love and Faith Programme Board and the Faith and Order Commission Episcopal Reference Group. The Bishops then spent time in groups discussing different areas of the current LLF proposals (as outlined in a recent LLF update to provide feedback to the LLF Programme Board. A further iteration of these proposals will be brought before the House in the autumn. This will also take into account the wider feedback gained from an informal consultation of diocesan synod members that is currently underway.  

The House heard insights from research aligned to the Vision and Strategy, celebrating experiences and discussing evidence of growth and revitalisation, and what can be learnt. Topics included the recent findings regarding the openness of Gen Z to faith, along with other local case studies and examples.